Former world No. 1 Angelique Kerber, aged 36, is poised to make her return to professional tennis at the onset of the 2024 season during the United Cup. After a hiatus of a year and a half, the three-time Grand Slam champion, who became a mother earlier this year, expressed satisfaction with her training preparations but acknowledged that her true level will only be revealed once she steps onto the court for actual matches.
In an interview, Kerber shared her eagerness for the upcoming season in Australia and the challenge of competing after a prolonged absence from the Tour. Having last participated in the 2022 Wimbledon, Kerber emphasized the unpredictability of her current standing and the patience required for her comeback.
“I feel ready, the training has gone according to plan so far, and the anticipation for the start of the season in Australia is increasing. Since it’s been almost a year and a half since my last match, I can’t estimate where I currently stand. I have to be patient. Training and matches are not comparable. The challenge is huge, but that’s exactly what excites me about it. I want to compete against the best players in the world and show the fans my best tennis,” Kerber expressed.
Acknowledging the increased competitiveness in the women’s tennis landscape during her absence, Kerber recognizes the unique nature of her comeback. She emphasized the difficulty of launching her return at the United Cup and immediately competing in a Grand Slam two weeks later.
“This time it’s definitely a different kind of comeback. If you don’t play well, lose matches and as a consequence fall into a big hole, then you continue to practice and know how to get out of the low. These days it’s a completely different and much more difficult task. Kicking off again at the United Cup after a one-and-a-half-year break and then having your first Grand Slam two weeks later is a huge challenge,” Kerber commented in a November interview with Porsche-Tennis.
As Kerber prepares to reenter the competitive tennis arena, the tennis community eagerly awaits to see if she can make a compelling comeback and challenge the top players in the sport.
